About the Program

The Cultural Kitchen curriculum is standards-based and qualifies as a Service Learning experience for participants. The program began in 2000 in Chicago, and currently reaches thousands of Public School students national-wide. Students who complete the Cultural Kitchen program continue to demonstrate enthusiasm for learning about new cultures and approach the world and its people with expanded mindsets. The Cultural Kitchen program at Hostelling International Washington State is designed to meet 12 Washington State Board of Education Learning Goals and 32 Learning Standards, with 5 hours of lessons based on the Coverdell WorldWise Building Bridges curriculum and inquiry-based research

The Cultural Kitchen program creates peace by helping students gain respect for different people and cultures as they travel through their own communities, their lives, and our world. Hostelling International Washington State is entering its third year running the Cultural Kitchen program, and is excited to expand the reach of the program in the coming year.